Parents want gay penguins book blocked

(AP)
Updated: 2006-11-17 13:49

SHILOH, Ill. - A picture book about two male penguins raising a baby penguin is getting a chilly reception among some parents in this village who worry about the book's availability to elementary students - and the reluctance of administrators to restrict access to it.


A copy of the book 'And Tango Makes Three' is seen on display in a bookstore Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006 in Chicago. The illustrated children's book is based on a true story of two male penguins in New York City's Central Park Zoo who adopted a fertilized egg and raised the chick as their own. [AP]
The concerns are the latest involving "And Tango Makes Three," the illustrated children's book based on a true story of two male penguins - Roy and Silo - in New York City's Central Park Zoo who adopted a fertilized egg and raised the chick as their own.

Complaining about the book's homosexual undertones, some parents of Shiloh Elementary School students believe the book - available to be checked out of the school's library in this 11,000-resident town 20 miles east of St. Louis - tackles topics their young children aren't ready to handle.

Their request: Move the book to the library's regular shelves and restrict it to a section for mature issues, perhaps even requiring parental permission before their child can check it out.

At least for now, the district's chief isn't budging. Though a panel she appointed suggested the book be moved and require parental permission before it is checked out, Superintendent Jennifer Filyaw says "And Tango Makes Three" will stay put - at the advice of the district's attorney, who says moving it might be legally challengeable censorship.

Filyaw considers the book "adorable" and age appropriate, written for children ages 4 to 8.
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